Orthogonal light beam splitting for microscopes

ABSTRACT

A system comprises a first beamsplitter module and a second beamsplitter module aligned with the first beamsplitter module along an alignment line. In certain embodiments, each beamsplitter module can split a beam traveling along a first optical path into a first split beam and a second split beam within a spectral range. Each beamsplitter module can transmit the first split beam along the first optical path and direct the second split beam along a second optical path substantially orthogonal to the first optical path and to the alignment line. In certain embodiments, each beamsplitter module can receive a first beam traveling along a first optical path and a second beam traveling along a second optical path that is substantially orthogonal to the first optical path and to the alignment line. Each beamsplitter module can combine the second beam with the first beam to yield a combined beam and transmit the combined beam along the first optical path.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to light beam splitting, andmore particularly to orthogonal light beam splitting for microscopes.

BACKGROUND

A microscope receives a light beam from a target to yield an image ofthe target. In certain microscopes, the light beam may be split orcombined with other beams. For example, the light beam may be split toyield split beams. The split beams can be directed to differentdestinations for different uses, e.g., to one or more eye pieces forviewing by one or more users and/or to a camera for recording. Asanother example, the light beam may be combined with another light beamto combine images. For example, a target image may be overlapped with animage providing information about microscope parameters.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A system comprises a first beamsplitter module and a second beamsplittermodule aligned with the first beamsplitter module along an alignmentline. In certain embodiments, each beamsplitter module can split a beamtraveling along a first optical path into a first split beam and asecond split beam. Each beamsplitter module can transmit the first splitbeam along the first optical path and direct the second split beam alonga second optical path substantially orthogonal to the first optical pathand to the alignment line. In certain embodiments, each beamsplittermodule can receive a first beam traveling along a first optical path anda second beam traveling along a second optical path that issubstantially orthogonal to the first optical path and to the alignmentline. Each beamsplitter module can combine the second beam with thefirst beam to yield a combined beam and transmit the combined beam alongthe first optical path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described byway of example in greater detail with reference to the attached figures,in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a microscope system that may utilizeorthogonal beam splitting;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an orthogonal splitting system that maybe used with the microscope system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a beamsplitter system that may beutilized in a microscope system;

FIG. 4 illustrates another example of a beamsplitter system that may beutilized in a microscope system; and

FIG. 5 illustrates another example of a beamsplitter system that may beutilized in a microscope system.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the description and drawings, example embodiments ofthe disclosed apparatuses, systems, and methods are shown in detail. Thedescription and drawings are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwiselimit or restrict the claims to the specific embodiments shown in thedrawings and disclosed in the description. Although the drawingsrepresent possible embodiments, the drawings are not necessarily toscale and certain features may be exaggerated, removed, or partiallysectioned to better illustrate the embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a microscope system 10 that may utilizeorthogonal beam splitting. In the example, microscope system 10 includesan objective lens 20, one or more splitting systems 22 (22 a-b), and oneor more eyepieces 24. Microscope system 10 may be any suitablemicroscope, such as a surgical optical microscope. An optical microscopeincludes one or more lenses that produce an enlarged image of a targetplaced in the focal plane of the microscope. The lenses may focus lightfrom (e.g., emitted or reflected from) the target towards a detector(such as an eye). The lenses may include objective lens 20, whichgathers light from the target and focuses the light rays to produce areal image. An eyepiece 24 is located near the focal point of objectivelens 20 to magnify the image. A splitting system 22 may split the lightfrom the target and/or combine the target light with another light beam.Examples of splitting systems 22 are described in more detail in FIGS. 2through 5.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an orthogonal splitting system 22 athat may be used with microscope system 10 of FIG. 1. In the example,splitting system 22 a has a housing 30, within which are disposed abeamsplitter system 32, lenses 36 (36 a-b), a mirror 40, and an imagedisplay 42. An image capture module 44 is coupled to housing 30.

Beamsplitter system 32 comprises beamsplitter modules 34 (34 a-c) and isdescribed in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 through 5. Lenses 36direct light beams to and/or from beamsplitter modules 34. Image display42 may display one or more images and may be any suitable image display,such as a light-emitting diode (LED) (e.g., organic LED). Mirror 40 mayreflect image beams with images towards lenses 36, which may direct theimage beams towards beamsplitter modules 34. Beamsplitter modules 34 maycombine the image beams with other light beams. Image capture module 44may receive light beams and generate one or more images (such as asingle image or a stream of images) from the light beams. In theexample, image capture module 44 may be a video camera and may receivelight beams from beamsplitter modules 34 through image forming objectivelens 36 b to generate video images.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a beamsplitter system 32 that may beutilized in a microscope system, such as microscope system 10. In theexample, beamsplitter system 32 comprises beamsplitter modules 34 (34a-b). Beamsplitter module 34 may comprise any suitable beamsplitter thatcan receive a light beam 48 (48 a-b) and split received beam 48 at asplitting region 49 (49 a-b) to yield a plurality of split beams 50 (50a-b), 52 (50 a-b). In the example, split beam 50 may be regarded as atransmitted beam, and split beam 52 may be regarded as a reflected beam.The transmitted and reflected beams may constitute any suitableproportions of received beam 48. For example, the transmitted beam maybe 50% and the reflected beam may be 50%, the transmitted beam may beless than 50% and the reflected beam may be greater than 50%, or thetransmitted beam may be greater than 50% and the reflected beam may beless than 50%. In certain embodiments, a beamsplitter module 34 mayoperate within a suitable spectral range, e.g., the visible range.

The transmitted beam travels along a transmitted beam optical path 56(56 a-b) (which may be substantially the same optical path 56 as used bythe received beam), and the reflected beam travels along a reflectedbeam optical path 58 (58 a-b) that may be any suitable angle to thetransmitted beam optical path 56. For example, the angle may besubstantially 90°, less than 90°, or greater than 90°. The paths 56 and58 may be regarded as defining an imaginary plane 60 (60 a-b).

In certain embodiments, a beamsplitter module 34 may be a cubebeamsplitter comprising two cemented right angle prisms. The reflectedand transmitted beams may travel through the same amount of glass, soalthough the optical path length of each arm is increased, both pathsare increased by the same amount.

In certain embodiments, beamsplitter module 34 a is aligned withbeamsplitter module 34 b along an alignment line 64 in any suitablemanner. For example, the modules 34 may be aligned such that one or moreof the following conditions are satisfied: (1) planes 60 a-b aresubstantially parallel to each other; (2) alignment line 64 isorthogonal to one or more planes 60 a-b; (3) alignment line 64intersects one or more splitting regions 49 a-b; and/or (4) transmittedoptical paths 56 a-b defines a plane that is orthogonal to a planedefined by reflected optical paths 58 a-b.

In certain embodiments, each beamsplitter module 34 may receive lightbeam 48 traveling along optical path 56. Beam 48 may have traveled froma target and through an objective lens to beamsplitter module 34.Beamsplitter module 34 may split the beam into split beams 50 and 52.Beamsplitter module 34 may transmit split beam 50 along a path that issubstantially parallel to (e.g., substantially along) the first opticalpath. In certain embodiments, split beam 50 may be directed towards aneyepiece of a set of eyepieces. Beamsplitter module 34 may direct splitbeam 52 along a second optical path substantially orthogonal to thefirst optical path and to the alignment line. In certain embodiments, animage capture module may receive split beam 52 and generate one or moreimages from split beam 52.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a beamsplitter system 132 that may beutilized in a microscope system. In the example, beamsplitter system 132comprises beamsplitter modules 134 (134 a-b). Beamsplitter module 134may comprise any suitable beamsplitter that can receive a light beam 148(148 a-b) and a light beam 152 (a-b) and combine beams 148 and 152 at acombining region 149 (149 a-b) to yield a combined beam 150 (150 a-b).In the example, beam 148 may be regarded as a primary beam, and beam 152may be regarded as a secondary beam. The primary and secondary beams mayconstitute any suitable proportions of combined beam 150. For example,the primary beam may be 50% and the secondary beam may be 50%, theprimary beam may be less than 50% and the secondary beam may be greaterthan 50%, or the primary beam may be greater than 50% and the secondarybeam may be less than 50%. In certain embodiments, a beamsplitter module134 may operate within a suitable spectral range, e.g., the visiblerange or a narrow spectral band range.

The primary beam travels along a primary beam optical path 156 (156 a-b)(which may be substantially the same optical path 156 as used by thecombined beam), and the secondary beam travels along a secondary beamoptical path 158 (58 a-b) that may be any suitable angle to the primarybeam optical path 156. For example, the angle may be substantially 90°,less than 90°, or greater than 90°. The paths 156 and 158 may beregarded as defining an imaginary plane 160 (60 a-b).

In certain embodiments, a beamsplitter module 134 may be a cubebeamsplitter comprising two cemented right angle prisms. The primary andsecondary beams may travel through the same amount of glass, so althoughthe optical path length of each arm is increased, both paths areincreased by the same amount.

In certain embodiments, beamsplitter module 134 a is aligned withbeamsplitter module 134 b along an alignment line 164 in any suitablemanner. For example, the modules 134 may be aligned such that one ormore of the following conditions are satisfied: (1) planes 160 a-b aresubstantially parallel to each other; (2) alignment line 164 isorthogonal to one or more planes 160 a-b; (3) alignment line 164intersects one or more combining regions 149 a-b; and/or (4) primaryoptical paths 156 a-b defines a plane that is orthogonal to a planedefined by secondary optical paths 158 a-b.

In certain embodiments, each beamsplitter module 134 may receive beam148 traveling along optical path 156 and receive beam 152 travelingalong optical path 158 that is substantially orthogonal to optical path156 and to alignment line 164. Beamsplitter module 134 may transmit beam148 and beam 152 along an output path that is substantially parallel to(e.g., along) optical path 156. In certain embodiments, beams 148 and152 may be transmitted as combined beam 150 towards an eyepiece of a setof eyepieces. In certain embodiments, beam 148 may communicate an imageof a target, and beam 152 may communicate one or more informationalimages conveying information such as microscope parameters. Beams 148and 152 may be combined such as the images are injected into beam 148,e.g., the informational image is overlapped with the target image.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a beamsplitter system 232 that may beutilized in a microscope system. In the example, beamsplitter system 232comprises an alpha beam splitter set 210 and a beta beam splitter set212. A beam splitter set may be used for a beam splitting system 22 ofFIG. 1. In the example, alpha beam splitter set 210 may comprise alphabeamsplitter modules, including beamsplitter modules 220 and 222.Modules 220 and 222 may be aligned along alignment line 224 in anysuitable manner. For example, the modules 220 and 222 may be alignedsuch that one or more of the following conditions are satisfied: (1) aplane 226 defined by paths 56 and 58 and a plane 228 defined by paths156 and 158 are substantially coplanar; and/or (2) alignment line 164substantially coincides with path 58 and/or path 158.

In certain embodiments, beamsplitter module 220 may be substantiallysimilar to beamsplitter module 34. Beamsplitter module 220 may receivean alpha beam 48 traveling along an optical path 56 and split alpha beam48 into an output beam 50 transmitted along optical path 56 and an alphasplit beam 252 directed substantially parallel (e.g., along) toalignment line 224. In certain embodiments, beamsplitter module 222 maybe substantially similar to beamsplitter module 134. Beamsplitter module222 may receive a primary alpha beam 148 traveling along an optical path156 and a secondary alpha beam 152 traveling along an optical path 158that is substantially parallel (e.g., along) to alignment line 224.Beamsplitter module 222 may transmit beams 148 and 152 as an output beam150 substantially parallel to optical path 156.

In certain embodiments, beta beam splitter set 212 may be substantiallysimilar to beamsplitter system 132 of FIG. 4. Beta beam splitter set 212may comprise beta beamsplitter modules 134 aligned along alignment line164. Each beta beamsplitter module 134 may receive output beam 50 oroutput beam 150. Beta beamsplitter module 134 may receive a secondarybeta beam 152 traveling along a beta optical path 158 that issubstantially orthogonal to a plane 260 defined by alignment line 164and the optical path of the received output beam 50 or 150. Betabeamsplitter module 134 may transmit the received output beam 50 or 150and secondary beta beam 152 along a path that is substantially parallelto the optical path of the received output beam 50 or 150. In certainembodiments, secondary beta beam 152 may be directed towards an eyepieceof a set of eyepieces. In certain embodiments, one or more images ofsecondary beta beam 152 may be injected into the received output beam 50or 150.

In other embodiments, beta beam splitter set 212 may be substantiallysimilar to beamsplitter system 32 of FIG. 3. Beta beam splitter set 212may comprise beta beamsplitter modules 34 aligned along alignment line64. Each beta beamsplitter module 34 may receive output beam 50 oroutput beam 150 and split the received output beam 50 or 150 into a betasplit beams 50 and 52. Beta beamsplitter module 34 may transmit betasplit beam 50 along a path that is substantially parallel to the opticalpath of the received output beam 50 or 150 and may direct beta splitbeam 52 along an optical path 58 substantially orthogonal to a planedefined by alignment line 64 and the optical path of the received outputbeam 50 or 150. In certain embodiments, beta split beam 50 may bedirected towards an eyepiece of a set of eyepieces. In certainembodiments, an image capture module may receive beta split beam 52 andgenerate one or more images from beta split beam 52.

A beamsplitter module (e.g., 34 or 134) may have any suitable spectralrange, e.g., a broadband visible, IR, or UV range or a narrow spectralrange, which may be less than 50 nm wide, e.g., a 520 to 540 nm range.For example, broadband visible range beamsplitter modules may be used.As another example, narrow band beamsplitter modules may be used forimage display 42. In this example, close to 100% of light from thetarget outside of narrow spectral range may be sent to the eye pieces24.

Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certainembodiments, modifications (such as changes, substitutions, additions,omissions, and/or other modifications) of the embodiments will beapparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, modifications may bemade to the embodiments without departing from the scope of theinvention. For example, modifications may be made to the systems andapparatuses disclosed herein. The components of the systems andapparatuses may be integrated or separated, and the operations of thesystems and apparatuses may be performed by more, fewer, or othercomponents. As another example, modifications may be made to the methodsdisclosed herein. The methods may include more, fewer, or other steps,and the steps may be performed in any suitable order.

Other modifications are possible without departing from the scope of theinvention. For example, the description illustrates embodiments inparticular practical applications, yet other applications will beapparent to those skilled in the art. In addition, future developmentswill occur in the arts discussed herein, and the disclosed systems,apparatuses, and methods will be utilized with such future developments.

The scope of the invention should not be determined with reference tothe description. In accordance with patent statutes, the descriptionexplains and illustrates the principles and modes of operation of theinvention using exemplary embodiments. The description enables othersskilled in the art to utilize the systems, apparatuses, and methods invarious embodiments and with various modifications, but should not beused to determine the scope of the invention.

The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to theclaims and the full scope of equivalents to which the claims areentitled. All claims terms should be given their broadest reasonableconstructions and their ordinary meanings as understood by those skilledin the art, unless an explicit indication to the contrary is madeherein. For example, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,”etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements,unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary. Asanother example, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member ofa subset of a set, where a set may include zero, one, or more than oneelement. In sum, the invention is capable of modification, and the scopeof the invention should be determined, not with reference to thedescription, but with reference to the claims and their full scope ofequivalents.

1. A system comprising: a first beamsplitter module; and a secondbeamsplitter module aligned with the first beamsplitter module along analignment line, each beamsplitter module configured to: receive a beamtraveling along a first optical path; split the beam into a first splitbeam and a second split beam; transmit the first split beam along thefirst optical path; and direct the second split beam along a secondoptical path substantially orthogonal to the first optical path and tothe alignment line.
 2. The system of claim 1, each beamsplitter moduleconfigured to direct the first split beam along the first optical pathby: directing the first split beam towards an eyepiece of a set ofeyepieces.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an image capturemodule configured to receive the second split beam and generate one ormore images from the second split beam.
 4. A system comprising: a firstbeamsplitter module; and a second beamsplitter module aligned with thefirst beamsplitter module along an alignment line, each beamsplittermodule configured to: receive a first beam traveling along a firstoptical path; receive a second beam traveling along a second opticalpath that is substantially orthogonal to the first optical path and tothe alignment line; combine the first beam and the second beam to yielda combined beam; and transmit the combined beam along the first opticalpath.
 5. The system of claim 4, each beamsplitter module configured totransmit the combined beam by: directing the combined beam towards aneyepiece of a set of eyepieces.
 6. The system of claim 4, eachbeamsplitter module configured to combine the first beam and the secondbeam by: combining the first beam and the second beam to inject one ormore images of the second beam into the first beam.
 7. The system ofclaim 4, the second beam received from an image display.
 8. The systemof claim 4, each beamsplitter module operating in a narrow spectralrange. 9-16. (canceled)